#255: Ithaca Beer Co » Hopfenstopfen (Dry-hopped German-style) & Intensify Forward Firepower (Rye IPA)

Early in the week I stopped into the Ithaca Beer taproom to drop off posters for an upcoming show and got delightfully delayed in my errands by two tasty new brews. Oh, and they have a taco truck out back now. Tacos & beer and wide open spaces. This place keeps getting better. No taco pic, sry.

Hopfenstopfen (Dry-hopped, German-style) ABV: 4.8% | Rating: 8.9
I think some of my favorite Ithaca Beer brews are their hybrid-styles. This deep, transparent golden straw-colored beer (tasting glass) is brewed only with German hops - and I believe abiding by German purity 4-ingredient law, but then bastardized by dry-hopping with an extensive amount of American hops.

The result is that crisp, bitter, deeply refreshing that is remarkably German, amped with an aroma and boldness that is deeply American-style - but also not overly hopped. A good use of Euro hop character and exactly the beer to finish off a long day and start an enjoyable, but productive evening.


Intensify Forward Firepower (Rye IPA) | ABV: 7.9% | Rating: 8.6
Running counterpoint to Hopfenstopfen, Intensify Forward Firepower (yay! more Star Wars references) is a big, bold, booze of a beer. Dry, scorched rye flavors kick things off with a coarse and chalky mouthfeel that hangs around. Thick and mildy hazy, this Rye packs a punch with distinct earthy, herbal notes and firey booze heat. Another solid, strong 5-Barrel from IBeer.

#186: Dogfish Head Brewery » Noble Rot (Saison)

White fusion goodness...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Noble Rot (Saison)
Availability: Bottles & Draft (limited)
ABV:  9.0% | IBUs: 18
Rating: 8.7/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? Continuing in our series of Dodfish Occasional Rarities, Noble Rot which starts with Viognier grape must (unfermented juice), infected with botrytis, a benevolent fungus. Second comes Pinot Gris must, followed by pils and wheat malt, and fermented with a Belgian yeast strain. The result is one of the most equal meshing of beer and wine that has graced this palate yet.

The Beer? Noble Rot's appearance directly reflects the process, pale yellow/straw appearance akin to a deep white wine or Pilsner, with a touch of fizzy, white head which diminishes quickly into a ring. Bright, mineral aromas are immediately present, supported by soft citrus and lemon notes. Overall, the nose is very white-wine like, with a touch of hops.

Onto the palate, tart, white grape start and finish the flavor spectrum, with mild spice, lemon zest, and pear in the middle. The yeasts and malts take a back seat to vinous domination - light bodied, slightly acidic, and dry. Towards the end, some plisner hop bitterness peaks through.

Overall, more well suited for a wine lover than a beer lover, but it does truly walk the line between the two. Recommended as a gateway beer from white wine or cider or a refreshing, light bodied variation.

#185: Dogfish Head Brewery » Red & White (Witbier)

Beer, wine, and barrels...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Red & White (Witbier)
Availability: Bottles & Draft (limited)
ABV:  10.0% | IBUs: 35
Rating: 8.9/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? After rehearsal, gearing up to open for Kayo Dot on Friday, it was time to relax with some games and beer. I've picked up a handful of Dogfish Head brews earlier in the month (Black & Blue, Piercing Pils) and next up is their Red & White hybrid - a witbier brewed with the usual coriander and orange peel, but also with Pinot Noir juice; a fraction aged in Pino barrels and the other on oak stages. Sign me up.

The Beer? Red & White pours out with a fluffy crown of white head, with some serious staying power, a top a hazy copper body. It's already fragrant across the game table just from the pour. Aromas of Oak, citrus, and hops pull me further.

This one is super smooth with just enough oak for rich depth and complexity, while still retaining an inviting drinkability. These's a distinct sweetness - like a gentle, soft barleywine. It's just boozy enough, but light on it's feet.

The coriander and orange provide an excellent compliment to the firm malt backbone, packed with delightful rum-raisin flavors. The whole experience is rounded over with the smooth depth of the Pinot, providing subtle, dark fruit notes.

Overall, a solid offering I'll easily return to.

#181: Dogfish Head Brewery » Piercing Pils (Czech Style Pilsner)

The Pear Pils makes it's way to bottles...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Piercing Pils (Czech Style Pilsner)
Availability: Bottles & Draft (Seasonal)
ABV:  6.0% | IBUs: 35
Rating: 8.9/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? Back in October, Dogfish Head announced that Piercing Pils would be graduating from the limited draft line, becoming their new winter seasonal. As always, an interesting choice from the masters of Delaware, issuing a light-bodied style in the dead of winter. Chicory Stout was bumped back to the limited, draft-only line to make room.

Piercing Pils is another in the long line of Dogfish Head hybrids, brewed with pear juice, white pear tea, and Saaz hops. I'm a fan of high-quality Pilsners, a style that in the craft world takes somewhat of a back seat amongst many flavor-intense offerings, so I was exciting to hear Piercing was getting wide release.

The Beer? Piercing Pils pours out a golden, straw color with plenty of effervescence. It's a shade darker than most Pilsners and topped with a finger of fluffy, staying head. The nose is inviting, full of grassy hops, classic pilsner aromas, and just a touch of crisp tartness.

Now, to drink... and oh, the pear is just the perfect complimentor. The fruit juice softens that usual pilsner bitter bite just enough, along with a swift flip of sweetness on the finish. There's a mild, juicy tartness on the front of each sip that quickly fades into toasty malts. Flavors of bready yeasts and just a hint of sourdough creep in further through. The 6.0% ABV is a nice touch to give this Pils some weight.

Overall, highly drinkable, but not a slammer. Dogfish Head wins again with a unique, well-crafted, easy go-to alternative to heavy winter beers.